Ultimate deck jig
A decking board installation tool, providing fixed and or adjust ability of multiple components. Comprising of an on board allen key which is firmly magnetically carried and non intrusively stored underneath the tool, when not needed for making adjustments to the tool. The onboard allen key universally fits and adjusts all fasteners and components on the tool and or tools associated with The Ultimate Deck Jig. The tool also has an ergonomic side edge profile, which allows for picking the tool up easier and gives the user more comfort when used for extended periods of time. Also, because the tool is made of lightweight material, extruded aluminum or injection molded plastic, the user is less likely to feel the effects of its weight when in use over an extended period of time. The tool also has clearly laser etched and or molded incremental markings on the drill bushings and the body of the tool where adjustments can be made, including the various end plate thickness dimensions. Not only is the tool clearly marked, it is brightly colored plastic and or anodized aluminum creating a distinct contrast in color of the tool and typical decking board colors. Preventing the user, or someone from tripping over it if left on or in the decking boards.
This invention relates to the construction of deck's, specifically to the installation of decking being fastened from the top.
BACKGROUNDThe installation of decking boards can be a time consuming and tedious part of construction. Decking is largely one of the most looked parts of the deck, because the decking boards cover the largest amount of surface area The decking boards are one of the first things you see when you walk on a deck.
In deck construction many different types of materials are being used to produce decking boards, from wood, composites, plastic and metal. Not only the materials used to produce the the decking a vital part of the deck's strength, just as importantly as the type of material, is the way in which you fasten the decking boards just as vital when building a deck. Spacing of the fasteners off the edges of the decking board is a crucial part of correctly fastening the decking boards to the joists or the under structure of the deck. Typically most manufactures specify the correct spacing off of the edges of the decking boards that is best suited for material type and decking board width. Most manufactures typically recommend between ¾ of an inch to 1 inch and ¼ spacing of fasteners off of the decking board edges, and always fastening the fasteners on the centerline of the joists or under structure unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer. Thus almost eliminating the decking installers chances of missing the joist or under structure of the deck. Also another integral part of fastening the decking boards down, is the spacing between the two closest edges of the decking boards running parallel to one another. Typically the spacing between those two boards closest edges is no less than ⅛ of an inch, and usually no larger than ¼ of an inch. Which also depending on material and manufacturer of the decking boards can and typically will fluctuate on spacing between the boards closest parallel edges. Pre drilling the location of the decking board manufacturer's recommended spacing off of the edge of the decking board is almost always recommended. Depending upon what fastener the manufacturer recommends for fastening of the decking board, or what the decking board installer prefers using for strength or aesthetic purposes, he or she may have to countersink the head. Not only in most cases a countersunk head of a fastener more aesthetically appealing, the deck owner is less likely to trip on it when walking on the deck. Although many manufacturers of decking boards require pre drilling and countersinking of the fastener and or fastener head, some may not.
Resulting in cracking of the decking board specifically around the shaft of the fastener or the fastener head, depending on the hardness of the decking board material it is made out of. In some cases of non pre drilling and non countersinking the shaft or threads of the fastener may prevent full contact between decking board and joist or under structure of the deck, causing the fastener to almost push itself away from the joist or under structure. Thus not being properly fastened to the joist or under structure of the deck. Which may in turn cause tripping and ultimately compromising the strength and integrity of the deck and decking board.
So decking board manufactures and tool company's alike have long sought mean's of effectively completing all of these steps in one compact tool. Without changing his or her power drill or cordless drill. From drill bit to countersinking tool and back again. All while controlling the depth's of the drill bit, countersinking tool and the spacing of the fastener hole off of the edge of the decking board and the space between the two closest decking boards edges running parallel to one another the same on each successive decking board being installed and yet still keeping your fastener holes in the centerline of the joist or under structure of the deck and accommodating almost every manufacturers width of decking board and type of material.
In conclusion, insofar as I am aware no deck tool formerly developed provides all of these functions stated above to the user in one tool.
SUMMARYThe invention, of a deck jig or tool that allows the user to immediately adjust the tool or deck jig with a magnetically mounted allen key on the tool as you use it. The onboard allen key is attached to the tool so that the user can quickly adjust for the thickness of the endplate,for the width of the decking board, also the depth of the drill bit and countersink and spacing of the drill bushings off of the edge of the end plate spacer or edge of the decking board edge. The onboard allen key is specifically and conveniently attached to the bottom side of the tool at all times during use to allow the user to make any or all adjustments to the tool at any time during decking board installation.
Accordingly several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide the user a tool that allows he or she to complete multiple steps by using only one tool. The Ultimate Deck Jig. Without, typically may take several different tools and more time to complete the same steps of installation of the decking boards. The Ultimate Deck Jig or tool also very accurately reproduces the same configuration of equally spaced fastener holes on the centerline of the joist or under structure of the deck while keeping the desired drill and countersinking depth the same throughout the entire process of decking board installation. Also keeping the space between the edges of the decking boards the same throughout the decking board installation. The Ultimate Deck Jig, was also designed to accommodate almost all widths and types of materials decking board manufactures produce or make. Thus the user needs only to purchase one tool to accommodate all of his or her needs for successfully installing many different types and widths of decking boards accurately every time.
DRAWINGS & DESCRIPTION
- 38 countersinking tool drill bushing
- 38A. long countersinking tool drill bushing
- 39 long center guide pins
- 40 threaded holes for conical set screws
- 41 end plate
- 42 end plate fastener
- 43 clamping slit
- 44 finger gripping radius
- 45 drill bushing slot
- 46 extruded aluminum or injection molded plastic body
- 47 clamping fastener
- 48 magnets for holding allen key
- 49 allen key
- 50 place over joist end plate
- 51 slide up to joist end plate
- 52 threaded end plate fastener hole
- 53 non threaded clamping hole
- 54 threaded clamping hole
- 55 countersinking tool drill bushing hole
- 56 guide pin holes
- 57 non threaded end plate through hole
- 58 end plate fastener area
- 59 end plate locator pins
- 60 threaded conical set screw hole
- 61 magnet holes
- 62 drill bushing for pilot drill tool
- 63 arched pilot drill hole
- 64 offset center drill holes
- 65 adjustable pilot drill area
- 66 adjustable countersinking depth stop
- 67 set screw for adjusting pilot drill depth
- 68 pilot hole drill bit
- 69 machined chucking flats
- 70 larger diameter shaft chucking flats were machined from
- 71 countersinking shaft area
- 72 countersinking cutting edge area
- 73 pilot drill bit for countersinking tool
- 74 ground flat on drill bit (73)
- 75 through hole for pilot drill bit (73) and or (68)
- 76 conical set screw
- 77 drill bushing flat
- 78 machined flats for gripping with wrench, allowing for tightening of (81) to (80)
- 79 machined area behind threads (80) designed to keep mating parts (79) and (82) concentric to one another.
- 80 externally threaded area designed to screw together with (81)
- 81 internally threaded area designed to screw together with (80)
- 82 machined area designed to keep mating part (79) and (82) concentric to one another.
- 83 replaceable body, designed to be replaced when (72) looses sharp edge from wear of countersinking or desired countersinking angle (84) needs to be changed to match that of screw.
- 84 countersinking angle
- 85 machined flat area designed for fastening (66) using fastener (67) allowing for the depth of countersink to be adjusted.
Operation
In operation one uses the ultimate deck jig by, inserting desired pre drilling tool
Claims
1) a decking installation apparatus providing fixed, adjustable, multiple detachable and re-attachable interchangeable components.
2) a fixed and or adjustable depth drill and or countersinking apparatus, with replaceable and or non replaceable cutting edge tip, guided by a bushing perpendicular to said decking and other similarly installed material.
3) a clearly labeled and or marked decking installation apparatus, depicting areas of increments, spacing and alignment.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 17, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2007
Inventor: Kurt Lane (Schwenksville, PA)
Application Number: 11/654,303
International Classification: E04F 21/00 (20060101);